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When the NBA releases its 2014-15 schedule Wednesday night, the Mavs are expected to open against the Spurs at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Mavs, who pushed the eventual champs to a Game 7 last spring, get their chance at revenge and a positive start to a new season on Oct. 28.

Highlighting the NBA’s schedule will be a Christmas Day return of LeBron James and his Cavaliers to Miami to face his former Heat team.

The Spurs are expected to receive their championship rings and raise another title banner that night.

While the Spurs will return the same nucleus, the Mavs have undergone dramatic changes in the off-season including the additions of Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons and the departures of Shawn Marion, Jose Calderon and Vince Carter.

The Mavs open training camp Sept. 30 and begin pre-season play Oct. 7 against the Rockets at American Airlines Center.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.